Qualification dates| Start | End |
|---|
| 03 Oct 2026 | Jun 2027 |
| 30 Jan 2027 | Sept 2027 |
This introductory module provides a broad and enjoyable foundation for university-level mathematics but requires some prior knowledge. It teaches you the essential ideas and techniques that underpin university-level study in mathematics and mathematical subjects such as physics, engineering and economics. You’ll study fundamental topics, including calculus, vectors, matrices and complex numbers – and use mathematical software to solve problems. You'll also develop your skills in communicating results and defining problems.
There are eleven study units in this module.
In the first two, you’ll revise and extend the basic mathematical knowledge and skills in introductory algebra and graphs that you should be familiar with. This revision material should help you identify and fill any gaps in your previous knowledge and develop your basic mathematical skills to the level needed in the rest of the module. Much of the material in these two units will be available online, so you can start your revision even before the module begins, if you wish. The first two units also teach you about communicating mathematics and introduce you to the mathematical software you’ll use in the module.
In the remaining study units, you’ll cover these topics:
Functions: these provide a means of representing situations where one quantity depends on another. For example, the distance travelled by a car depends on the time it has been travelling. You need to know about functions before you can study calculus. Trigonometry: you’ll revise the relationships between the angles and side lengths of triangles, and the definitions of the trigonometric functions sine, cosine and tangent for angles of any size. You’ll learn many useful properties of these functions, which are used to model a wide range of cyclical phenomena, such as rotating objects and waves. Vectors: these are quantities that have both a size and a direction. You’ll learn about the mathematics of vectors and how to use them to model a variety of physical quantities, such as speed in a particular direction. Calculus: this is one of the most important and widely applicable topics in mathematics. It is concerned with quantities that change continuously, such as the distance travelled and the speed of a moving object. You’ll be introduced to differentiation and integration, and learn how to use calculus to model a range of different situations and to solve problems from areas such as physics and economics. Matrices: these are arrays of numbers, which can be manipulated mathematically in various ways. They’re used extensively in both pure mathematics and mathematical applications. Sequences: you’ll learn how to work with some common types of number sequences, such as those in which each number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by a constant. Complex numbers: these form an intriguing set of numbers that includes all the usual numbers and also many `imaginary’ numbers, such as the square root of minus one. They have many uses in applied mathematics and are the basis of some fascinating pure mathematics.
You’ll work mainly from the module books, also available in various electronic formats. You can view many of the worked examples in the books in an alternative video format, in which tutors work through and discuss the examples. You’ll also use specially designed software applications to help you understand the concepts taught and learn to use a mathematics computer package to solve problems. There are many online interactive practice questions to help you consolidate your learning.
The full content list is on the Open mathematics and statistics website.
There is no formal prerequisite study, but you must have the required mathematical skills.
You can check you’re ready for MST124 and see the topics it covers here.
You can find out which module is your best starting point in mathematics here.
You should aim to be confident and fluent with the concepts covered in the Are you ready? quiz here, and follow the advice in the quiz.
The key topics to revise include:
algebraic manipulation and solving equations quadratics and parabolas geometry and trigonometry exponentials and logarithms.
Discovering mathematics (MU123) is ideal preparation.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content guiding you to additional learning resources facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)4 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)ExaminationWe regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination method used for this module to an in-person exam or a remotely invigilated (proctored) exam. When we are making such a change, we will make it clear on this page. If we need to make a change after you have registered, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you have additional requirements, we will support you to complete your assessments.
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner course-specific module materials audio and video content assessment details and submission section online tutorial access access to student forums.
Additionally, the website includes:
access to computer applications.
We also provide physical:
module books.
a scientific calculator (Casio fx-83 or fx-85 range recommended).
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device. Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials. Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS. Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection. Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable. Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS. Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying MST124 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Essential mathematics 1 (MST124) starts twice a year – in October and January/February.
It will next start in October 2026 and January 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.
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